Media City Fry-Up, bumber July edition: Breakfast in Salford and yet more jobs…
posted Thu 15th Jul, 2010
If you haven't been following us on twitter or facebook (and why not?) you may have missed a busy week for MediaCityUK news.
- First off, the BBC has announced it's intention to relocate BBC Breakfast to MediaCityUK, Salford Quays. The story began as a strong rumour we picked up on twitter, followed by much speculation and generally negative responses from the national media.
The BBC moved quickly, and by Wednesday the move was officially announced. Helen Boaden, Director, BBC News, said: "BBC Breakfast is the most watched breakfast programme in the UK and loved by millions. It has a fantastic connection with audiences across the UK and we want to build on that."
Peter Salmon, director of BBC North said, "The move of Breakfast is especially symbolic as it is the first time a BBC Network News programme will come from outside London – a real vote of confidence in our new enterprise."
An attempt to create a full english Breakfast, if you like.
The move means that more than three hours a day of live BBC One output will now come from MediaCity, and around 88 roles across BBC Breakfast and operational posts are expected to relocate. It is yet to be seen how many current Breakfast staff will make the move.
You can read more details straight from the horses mouth. - Riding high on the wave of such an earth-shattering announcement, the BBC then surprised us all by announcing yet more jobs were heading to Media City, namely 43 positions from Marketing, Communications & Audiences and 75 from Future Media & Technology.
The BBC's Director of Future Media and Technology, Erik Huggers, said: "Just as Broadcasting House is associated with the rise of radio, and Television Centre with TV, I believe that MediaCity will become the BBC's centre for the internet age.
"Moving our connected TV and mobile product teams north, together with a core part of BBC Online, is very much part of realising this vision."
It was also announced that an additional two comedy shows will be commissioned by BBC North at MediaCity by 2012/13.
Sinead Greenaway, CEO at Peel Media (developers of MediaCityUK) reacted positively to this tidal wave of news - "We at Peel Media are delighted...This news is testimony to the BBC's commitment to make their new home here at MediaCityUK a success."
Again, you can read more details from the beeb itself.
How's that for a round-up? But wait, there's more! (I'll do these as one liners, I know you're busy)
- Salford Uni has announced the appointment of Jon Corner, founder of Liverpool based production house River Media, as their new MediaCityUK Director - replacing John Holland. More details here.
- Mammoth Graphics, who produce graphics for the BBC, ITV and Sky amongst others, have opened an office within The Pie Factory, MediaCityUK; their first base outside London. More details at How-Do.
- The Reverend Hayley Matthews has been named as chaplain to MediaCityUK by the Church of England. More from the BBC.
- Peter Salmon (Director, BBC North) has made it to no.84 in the Guardian's 100 most powerful people in media. Presumably after this week's announcements he'll be popping up a little higher next year.
- Peel Media is looking to fill a handful of new Technology and Studio-based roles at MediaCity - click here for the full list.
..so a busy couple of weeks overall, and still over a year to go before it's all truly up and running!
Be sure to follow our highly recommended twitter feed for all the late breaking MediaCity news...
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New MediaCityUK CGI renders
posted Tue 17th Feb, 2009 - 08:51 PM | 4 comments
Here are the latest CGI renders of MediaCityUK, showing how the site will look by 2011 - including the most recent representations of the BBC Offices and Studios, Salford University building, outdoor video screen and waterfront piazza.
You can see high quality images below...
Images from MediaCityUK (mediacityuk.co.uk)
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BBC Trust says there are ‘significant risks’ in moving BBC Children’s to MediaCityUK
posted Thu 12th Feb, 2009 - 01:13 AM
In a review of their services for children, published yesterday, the BBC Trust said that moving BBC Children's to MediaCityUK, Salford Quays poses 'significant risks' - specifically in regards to staff retention.
The report said there was a "lack of clarity over the arrangements for Salford," and that "more could be done to communicate the benefits of the move" to BBC staff.
The Trust also expressed concerns that the Salford move could "put additional pressure on the budget for children's output." They did acknowledge the central fund set aside for moving costs, but said it was not clear what the fund will cover.
It was announced in the same report that Newsround has lost 40% of it's audience in one year. Overall however, the Trust seems pretty happy with BBC Children's - " we would like to congratulate staff for the performance they have achieved with the resources available."
If there are any BBC Children's staff out there - please chime in below; Is there still a lack of clarity about the move...or do you feel entirely clued up? Are you going to resign rather than make the move to Salford?
full report at the Press Gazette
Similar articles on this subject;
Campbell Commits: 5 Live presenter will make the move to MediaCityUK
MediaCityUK move causing a BBC revolt, but there will be no surrender
BBC staff reluctant to move to Salford?
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Nice Carpet! BBC attacked over MediaCityUK relocation incentives
posted Tue 20th Jan, 2009 - 12:52 AM
The BBC has come under fire for it's generous relocation package, which could include up to £3,000 for new carpets and curtains for employees relocating from London to MediaCityUK. The payment package, paid for out of the licence fee, is intended to entice staff to make the move North. (We first heard about the relocation scheme in June last year.)
The TaxPayers' Alliance described the package as "a slap in the face to the ordinary taxpayer forced to subsidise such generosity when they are facing the consequences of hard economic times".
A BBC spokesperson said: “We seek to offer relocation assistance which is comparable to that offered across the private and public sectors and within clear limits. A review of the assistance available, in light of the current difficult economic climate, is currently being undertaken...this is important because some staff will shortly be making decisions about the move.” (All staff must make a decision whether to move or not by September 30 2009, with most relocating between April and December 2011.)
So is this package really obscene...or is it a case of newspaper overreaction mixed with some anti-BBC/anti-licence fee sentiment? What do you think?
You can read more at Crain's, the MEN and the Guardian.
Update: New BBC North Director Peter Salmon defended the relocation incentives at the Television for the Nations and Regions Conference at the Lowry. Salmon said, "We have to make sure that we take the right number of the best people from London. There's a degree of specialism, professionalism and experience which we need to make sure we've got." You can read the full story at the MEN.
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Salford Uni move to MediaCityUK confirmed
posted Wed 14th Jan, 2009 - 11:47 PM | 3 comments
_thumb.jpg "Salford Uni move to MediaCityUK confirmed")
Salford University has signed an agreement for lease for their 'higher education centre' at the heart of MediaCityUK. The 100,000 sq ft centre will include a broadcast zone, digital media zone, virtual laboratory, digital performance space and creative spaces for use in academic teaching, project-based learning and user-centred design and innovation.
This makes Salford Uni the second anchor tenant at MediaCityUK, following the BBC. Rumours about the Salford Uni building began in September last year, about the same time ITV was reported to be considering a move (still no official announcement about that).
Vice-Chancellor, Professor Michael Harloe said: "There is a New Media revolution happening across the globe, and the University is pioneering a nationally significant development here in Salford.
Our vision is to create, at the heart of MediaCityUK, ground-breaking ways of engagement for the benefit of our students, our staff and our community and industry partners. We are confident this will become a catalyst for future change within the higher education sector."
BBC Director General Mark Thompson said: "The University's presence alongside key parts of the BBC means MediaCityUK will be one of the places where the future of the media industry will be shaped."
You can see more details on the Salford University website.
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I've just fixed the commenting system on the blog, which appears to have been malfunctioning for the past month or so. Apologies to anyone who has posted recently without any success, please do post again if you can be bothered! Jun 09, 2009 - 04:16 AM
CBBC are looking for new drama writers - if you fancy a future job at MediaCityUK check it out - http://bit.ly/10wvA0 May 21, 2009 - 01:14 AM
Not a lot of MediaCityUK news to report since the ITV bombshell, except perhaps this article from the FT about the positive impact MediaCityUK is likely to have on Salford and the surrounding areas. The article also provides a quick introduction to the local housing market - useful if you're looking at relocating to Salford. Mar 26, 2009 - 11:04 PM
Debate about the BBC's staff relocation packages continues to rumble on and on - Liz Hunt at the Telegraph says, "I can't be the only taxpayer with northern credentials who feels insulted by the implication that having to up sticks from the South East is akin to an enforced relocation to Mogadishu or Harare." (full article here). Meanwhile, Andy Spinoza at How-Do offers some relocation advice to BBC staff - "Some media people will find the value, community, and friendliness on offer in the likes of Monton and Eccles more appealing than the fancy nick-nack shops of Didsbury..." (full article here). Mar 13, 2009 - 12:22 AM
The Manyoo apartment towers in Salford Quays will be built, despite one of the developers behind it going into administration, reports the MEN. Manyoo will have 1,036 apartments over four towers that will `quite literally change the skyline of Salford Quays'. Mar 04, 2009 - 07:04 AM
Interesting article over at The Life of Wylie about the problems piling up for ITV; chief amongst them the need to make a decision about selling the Manchester site in Quay Street and moving to MediaCityUK, Salford. (via SalfordQuays.org) Feb 19, 2009 - 02:54 AM
Former journalist Aziz Rashid has been announced as the new head of BBC North West - "we have an exciting future ahead with our move to Salford Quays in 2011." (full article at the MEN) Feb 17, 2009 - 11:09 PM
The Guardian has a short article about some of the problems facing HBOS, one of which (according to the Guardian) is their £350m backing of MediaCityUK. (via SalfordQuays.org) Feb 17, 2009 - 11:00 PM
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